The month of April is nationally recognized as Alcohol Awareness Month. It's an important opportunity to increase the awareness of alcohol misuse and abuse, prevent use among youth, and encourage healthy habits and behaviors. In observance of Alcohol Awareness Month RAD launched a series of Social Media campaigns to raise and spread awareness. Check out a recap of our Social Media Campaigns below!

National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week(3/30-4/5/2020)

The NDAFW Social Media Campaign focused on highlighting one drug for every day of the week from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens -- Mind Matters Series. The topics throughout the week included: Marijuana, Alcohol, Opioids, Nicotine, and Cocaine. Through this campaign we highlighted some of the most prevalent drugs of choice throughout our communities. Our efforts included: recognizing the drug, discussing the health impacts, addiction and how to seek help if you or someone you know is addicted to the drugs. An example on the social media campaign topic can be found below.

Alcohol Awareness Month-30 Daily Facts (4/1-4/30/2020)

In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, 30 daily facts were created and posted throughout RAD’s social media sites. All thirty facts informed viewers of alcohol related issues, binge drinking, legal matters and health concerns. This social media campaign aimed to deter unhealthy alcohol consumption patterns amongst individuals and inform views of the possible ramifications of alcohol consumption. Below you can find an example of some of the campaign material.

4/20 True or False Challenge- Rethink420 Campaign (4/20-4/24/2020)

An interactive twist was presented through our 4/20 Challenge Campaign. This social media campaign featured many statements revolving Marijuana legalization, consumption, and health effects for a whole week. Participants were able to participate via Instagram’s story, where they were able to decide if the statement was “True” or “False”, based on their knowledge. In addition, participants were entered in a giveaway raffle. Below you can find a hint of the 4/20 True or False Challenge Campaign.

Thinking Thursday's Campaign (ongoing)

Thinking Thursdays is an interactive campaign, in which advice is asked for. This campaign is designed to encourage the participant to think about what advice they would give the person, taking into consideration the scenario. All the scenarios presented are peer pressure scenarios where youth have come across troubling situations that impair their decision making. This campaign aspires to inform parents, teachers, mentors and community members about possible dilemmas that youth might be encouraging. In addition, it serves as a mechanism to empower youth to think beyond any negative judgement that rises when they are conflicted while being in similar situations.

Safe Disposal LA (4/27/2020)

Providers across Los Angeles County are working together to promote safe prescription drug storage and proper disposal practices with the launch of the #SafeDisposalLA and The Great Cabinet Clean-Out. Community members across the county cleaned out their medicine cabinets and stored their medications in a secure location until it is safe to visit a local disposal site. ​

Love RAD Tips of the Day (ongoing)

The Love RAD Tips of the Day focused on bring together COVID-19 and substance use. By interwinding the health impact of both COVID-19 and substance abuse, tips of the day were developed in English and Spanish. These daily facts increased awareness regarding the health impact of substance use.​​

Throwback Tuesday and Thursday Campaign (ongoing)

The Throwback Tuesday and Thursday Campaign works to highlight past community events, campaigns, projects, partnering agencies and community partners. This campaign allows the audience to reflect on events and partnerships by capturing key moments though pictures. If you would like to highlight an agency, event or community partners, do not hesitate to contact us!

Millions of people struggle with substance addictions each year. The National Survey on Drug Use and Mental Health found that 8.5 percent of the US population had a substance dependence or abuse problem. Every September, SAMHSA sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover.

Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. There are many pathways that support recovery from substance abuse:

Health: overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional wellbeing.

Home: a stable and safe place to live;

Purpose: meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society; and

Community: relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

How You Can Support Recovery Month:

​1. Learn to Listen & Don't Judge: Be available to listen to your loved one’s victories and struggles, and refrain from criticism and negativity. Instead, express love for your loved one and praise his decision to maintain sobriety.

2. Learn to recognize the physical and behavioral signs of alcohol and other drug abuse.Increased aggression or irritability, change in attitude/personality, lethargy, depression, sudden changes in habits and priorities, financial problems, involvement in criminal activity.

3. Provide a drug-free zone for friends and family in recovery, and encourage substance-free activities: One of the biggest predictors of long-term recovery is whether or not users live in drug-free environments.​4. Encourage a friend or family member in need of help to attend a substance abuse treatment or counseling program: Recovering addicts can interact with other recovering addicts while receiving encouragement.

Why should I get rid of my unused or expired prescription drugs?

Prescription drugs are medications prescribed by health care providers to help treat diseases and relieve pain, but theycan be dangerous when they are not used or disposed of in the right way. Taking medication that is not yours, mixing it with alcohol or other drugs can have dangerous consequences and can lead to death. Flushing your medications down the sink or toilet, or throwing in the trash is not a good way to dispose of your medications and will contaminate our water supply and environment. You can help prevent prescription drug abuse and protect our environment by getting rid your old medications in a safe way. Some more reasons to get rid of your unused prescription drugs:

​1 in 20 adults misuse prescription drugs.

​1 in 5 teens misuse prescription drugs.

70% of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends.

4.7 million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs.

Drug-overdose deaths are increasing, and reached a high of 47,055 in 2014.

Where can I safety dispose of my prescription drugs?

Bring your old, unused, or expired prescription drugs to an LA County Sheriff's Department safe drug drop-off box 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This Saturday 4/29, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative will provide additional disposal locations from 10am-2pm in addition to safe disposal sites that are available year-round. Find the location nearest to you!
​

​Drop-Off locations open year-round

​ Open Saturday 4/29 (10am-2pm) ONLY

Every year in LA County, prescription drug misuse is responsible for:

400 deaths

​14,500 hospitalizations

9,000 emergency room visits
​

2,500 addiction treatment
​admissions ​

What is prescription drug misuse?

Taking more than you should or mixing it with other drugs or alcochol

Taking the medicine without a prescription

Taking medication in any way that is different from how it was precribed, or to get "high"

This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Rethinking Alcohol and Other Drugs (RAD) is partnering up with local businesses in the San Gabriel Valley on a Public Awareness Campaign to help prevent drunk driving and remind bar and restaurant patrons to plan ahead for a safe St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday is meant to celebrate Saint Patrick and the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. However, reports show that popular “bar holidays” like St. Patrick’s Day are among the most dangerous days for drunk and drugged driving deaths. In fact, drunk driving deaths and underage drinking increase around popular celebrations. Alcohol remains the second leading cause of death and disability in Los Angeles County, and is associated with over 54 acute and chronic health conditions. It is illegal in every state to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of (BAC) of .08 or higher, yet:

The Unlucky Facts:

​Over 1 in 3 fatal collisions involve alcohol.

1 person is killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes.

Almost 1 in 10 (8%) of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes have one or more previous DUI convictions.

After alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are most commonly linked to drugged driving crashes.​

RAD Reminds to you to Plan Ahead for a Safe St. Patrick’s Day with 5 simple tips:​1. TALKabout the risks of excessive alcohol use with your teens, friends and family.

2. ONLY DRIVE SOBER Designate a non-drinking driver before any celebration, and encourage others to do the same. 3.TAKE THE KEYSNever let friends drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.4. BE A RESPONSIBLE HOSTServe water and offer non-alcoholic beverages. 5. NEVER PROVIDE ALCOHOL TO MINORSKeep alcohol away from minors and supervise.

Participating Businesses:THANK YOU!

Pasadena

The Blind Donkey

Ixtapa​

Barney's Beanery

Dog Haus Biergarten

Cabrera's Mexican Restaurant

Kings Row Gastropub

35er

Islands Restaurant

Jerry's Family Bilards

Bowlmor Pasadena

Setebello

South Pasadena

The Raymond Restaurant

Gus' BBQ

Canoe House

Ai Japanese Restaurant

Barkley Restaurant

Mike & Anne's

Aro Latin

Griffins Of Kinsale​

Alhambra

Limericks Tavern

Pomona

Character Sports Bar

The Burger House

Pizza Beer and Wings

O’Donovans Pub

Metro Ale House

Covina

AZO Vino

Alosta Brewing Company

Romero Estate Vineyard

REV Winery and Brewery

Rude Dog Bar & Grill

Bread & Barley

Casa Moreno Grill

Brew & Meatball Co

City Grill

Sources:

National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016.

LA County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control “Reducing Alcohol‐Related Harms in Los Angeles County: A Cities and Communities Health Report, 2011

This Holiday season, Rethinking Alcohol and Other Drugs (RAD) reminds you to plan ahead for a safe holiday season. ​Reports show that the me period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day includes some of the most dangerous days for drunk and drugged driving deaths. In fact, drunk driving deaths and underage drinking increase around the holidays according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administraion and the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration. Alcohol remains the 2nd leading cause of death and disability in Los Angeles County, and is associated with over 54 acute and chronic health conditions. The good news is that alcohol (and other drug) related incidents are 100% preventable, and RAD has made prevention messages available to download & share in 5 languages this holiday season.

RAD reminds you to plan ahead for safe holiday season with 4 simple steps:

1. Talk about the risks of excessive alcohol use with your teens, friends and family.2. Only Drive Sober:Designate a non‐drinking driver before any celebraon if you are going to drink alcohol and encourage others to do the same.3. Take the Keys: Never let friends drive if they are impaired, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.4. Be a responsible host: Offer alcohol‐free beverages. Make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.5. Never provide alcohol or other drugs to minors:Keep alcohol away from minors and supervise.

Available to Download & Share in 5 languages: www.dropbox.com/sh/eiqqvr5v26lu874/AACcpjxbDesi3RlsnliR9Kz-a?dl=0

We wish you and your loved ones a #RAD Holiday Season!

Alcohol remains the most commonly used drug among teenagers, and recreational use of marijuana and prescription drugs among teens is also on the rise according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC , 2016). This October, Day One and RAD presented Communities Talk! Let's Talk About Underage Drinking a special 3-part townhall series in the San Gabriel Valley to raise awareness about underage drinking and other drug use. The townhall meetings held in El Monte, Pomona, and Pasadena in English and Spanish engaged community members, youth and adults from each city in a discussion about alcohol misuse and abuse among teens as well as community solutions.

Day One Youth Advocates, parents, elected officials, school district staff, fire and police department staff, and community members from each city participated in the events in their which included youth-led skits, youth panelists, and interactive discussions. Participants learned about current teen alcohol trends in their city, and discussed community solutions to prevent the health and safety risks related to underage teen drinking that include violence, sexual assault, and driving under the influence.

Alcohol is the most abused drug among youth in the U.S., and is used by teens more than​ all other drugs combined.

Youth drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S.

Alcohol is the #1 cause of accidental injury and death among teens.

696,000 college students experience alcohol-related assault every year.

Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or addiction.

After learning and listening to youth speak about their experiences with alcohol and drugs in their city, community members voted to prioritize local prevention strategies for their city. Community organizations including Pacific Clinics, Bike San Gabriel Valley, ChapCare, the Pasadena Public Health Department, Insight and the Pasadena Altadena Coalition of Transformative Leaders (PACTL) participated by providing resources and information. This series was made possible by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Youth Speaker PanelYouth participants answered questions, and shared personal experiences and perspectives on underage drinking culture in their city .

Community SolutionsCommunity members voted to prioritize community prevention strategies and polices for their cities, including: Restrictions on Alcohol Advertising, Deemed Approved, and Social Host Ordinances.

What YOU can DO: 1. Never serve alcohol to youth under age 21. ​2. Get to know your teens friends and how to reach their parents.3. Connect with other parents and agree to notify each other a parent who serves alcohol to minors.4. Set clear expectations and consequences together with your teen.5. Participate in prevention education activities and events.6. Support local prevention efforts by connecting with RAD!

Proponents of Prop 64 argue that the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) is about social justice and decriminalization because they know these are important issues for minorities and communities of color. However criminal justice reform and marijuana legalization are and should be viewed as separate issues. We know this because previous laws that legalized medical marijuana did not fix the criminal justice system, and legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes won't either. However, the negative public health and safety consequences of increased access to marijuana are expected to disproportionately impact youth and low income communities of color.

Consider the negative public health impacts Prop 64 will have on our communities:

#1: Youth are one of the groups most at risk for harms associated with regular marijuana use. 25% of youth in LA County aged 12-17 report that they already use marijuana according to an assessment conducted by Rethinking Access to Marijuana. Prop 64 would further expand access to youth under age 21 in an unprecedented way. Community-based organizations oppose Prop 64 because the risks to the health, development and safety of youth and young adults is too great. Prop. 64 would actually create new crimes and calls for jail time for youth for a host of new offenses. Public health providers acknowledge that social and physical conditions within communities play a major role in shaping the health and well-being of community members, especially youth, and it is unfair to criminalize youth for a behavior that has become social norm, especially if we make access even easier. Additionally, increased exposure to marijuana seems to correlate to increased youth use. According to a nationwide survey of young adults ages 18 to 25, children of parents who smoke marijuana are more than three times more likely to use it themselves.

#2: Marijuana has been decriminalized in CA since 2014. Prop. 47 which passed in 2014 has already decriminalized simple possession of almost all drugs, including marijuana, and possession of marijuana has already been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor in CA. As a result, California has already drastically reduced all drug-related arrests and the prison population across the state. In Los Angeles County, drug arrests fell one-third just in the first year, made nearly 10,000 inmates eligible for re-sentencing, and thousands others have already been released. Prop. 64 would actually create new crimes and calls for jail time for a host of new offenses for young adults, and we can expect communities of color and young adults under 21 in particular will be targeted.

#3: Prop. 64 does not ear-mark any specific revenue for youth or adult prevention education Only "remaining funds" make mention of youth drug prevention and education, none of which are guaranteed funds. Prevention is basically left out and is an after-thought in this law. This is unfair to low income communities of color who are still dealing with problems associated with liquor stores at every corner, and high rates of addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

#4: Prop. 64 would increase "drugged driving" and drug-related traffic fatalities. Drug-related traffic fatalities have more than doubled in Washington and Colorado since regulation. Law enforcement is not currently aware of any standard measurement that can be used to measure intoxication of marijuana as exists for alcohol, and this law does not address this serious safety concern.

#5: Prop 64. would undermine restrictions on smoking advertising. Tobacco ads have been banned from television for decades, but Proposition 64 will allow marijuana smoking ads in prime time, and on programs with millions of children and teenage viewers. The risk of second hand smoke and lung cancer rates could also increase.

​Other things Prop 64 would do:

Create two new taxes for cultivation and retail price

Fund medical mariujana research

Create Bureau of Marijuana Control.

Allow smoking in a private home or business licensed for marijuana consumption.

Allow Californians age 21 and over to possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana, 8 grams of concentrated marijuana,

Allow Californians age 21 and over to grow up to 6 plants within a private home if locked and in a non visible area.

Authorizes re-sentencing and destruction of records for prior marijuana convictions

Smoking would remain illegal while driving a vehicle, public places, on school grounds or anywhere children may be present.

Businesses will only be able to sell marijuana with a state license and possibly a local license while not selling within 600 feet of where children may be present: school, day care, youth center.

​What can we do if Prop 64 passes?Support responsible local public health policies in your cities!

As of October 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed in place The Medical Marijuana Regulation & Safety Act that allows local government within the state to legalize distribution of marijuana within their cities within their own terms of how they want to deal with marijuana within the town. Within the original writing within the bill, it gives local government to act within the deadline of March 1, 2016. In February, Jerry Brown had put into place an extension to make a decision, so that cities are able to come to a thoughtful and beneficial decision for their towns.The progress of the marijuana ordinance in the San Gabriel Valley has been successful. Many of the cities within the San Gabriel Valley have decided to prohibit any type of Marijuana dispensing or delivery through the Medical Marijuana Regulation & Safety Act. This ordinance includes the following and is described as such…

“In enacting the Medical Marijuana Regulation & Safety Act (hereinafter, "MMRSA"), the California Legislature added Section 11362.777 to the Health & Safety Code (hereinafter, "Section 11362.777"). Subsection (c)(4) of Section 11362.777 provides in full that:If a city, county, or city and county does not have land use regulations or ordinances regulating or prohibiting the cultivation of marijuana, either expressly or otherwise under principles of permissive zoning, or chooses not to administer a conditional permit program pursuant to this section, then commencing March 1, 2016, the division shall be the sole licensing authority for medical marijuana cultivation applicants in that city, county, or city and county.Thus, Section 11362.777 clearly requires the California Department of Food & Agriculture (hereinafter, "CDFA") to act as the "sole licensing authority" for applicants seeking to conduct medical cannabis cultivation under MMRSA if a local government fails to affirmatively regulate or prohibit medical cannabis cultivation by March 1, 2016. See Bus. & Profs. Code § 19300.5(w) ('"Licensing authority' means the state agency responsible for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of the license, or the state agency authorized to take disciplinary action against the license."). In other words, rather than requiring medical cannabis cultivators to possess both a state license and local permit, Section 11362.777 allows medical cannabis cultivators under MMRSA to only possess a state license if a local government fails to affirmatively regulate or prohibit medical cannabis cultivation by March 1, 2016. However, the plain language of Section 11362.777 is unclear whether local governments permanently lose their authority to regulate medical cannabis cultivation if they fail to act by March 1, 2016.”

This has become a debating issue within local communities, due to the fact that this bill also limits patients who have a medical license to will not gain access to medical marijuana for their conditions. Overall, the cities within the San Gabriel Valley have decided to prohibit all delivery and dispensing services argue that it will help reduce/prevent crime into their areas and reduce usage. Given that there has been an extension to the decision date, these cities have the option to change their opinion and open to more discussion about this issue.

St.Patrick’s Day is a bar holiday notorious for its drinking reputation and high risk activities. High rates of drunk-driving and alcohol-involved collisions and injuries are also reported on St. Patrick's Day every year.What are your upcoming plans this St. Patrick’s Day? If they involve excessive drinking or a night out, here are some things you may want to consider before partaking in any festivities.

Don't be unlucky, designate a sober driver or plan ahead for a safe ride home:

DUI checkpoints, don’t risk paying up to $10,000 for one night of recklessness.

More and some helpful tips from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. on how to avoid and prevent a DUI here.

​Plan ahead…Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Do you have a ride home? If not, don’t drive. Arrange a ride home or call and Uber/Lyft. Here are some tips and resources for you to check out:

Many bars are partnering up with ride share services and could possibly offer free rides. Check your local areas for participating partners.

Be prepared and be sure to download ride share apps in advance, initial use may give you a free ride!

This October, Mayor Terry Tornek of the City of Pasadena Pasadena proclaimed Red Red Ribbon Week October 23-31st.Red Ribbon Week is a national week of awareness and prevention of substance abuse and violence that was established by the National Family Partnership, a non-profit organization in 1985. This year's theme, 'Respect Yourself', encourages youth and families to take a pledge to choose healthy drug-free lifestyles without illegal drugs or the illegal use of legal drugs http://redribbon.org/about/.

Pasadena's new proclamation also recognizes the need for families, schools, businesses, churches, law enforcement, youth, and community organizations to all work together to "establish an atmosphere that supports awareness, education, and ongoing initiatives to reduce alcohol and other drug-related harm in order to protect the health and safety of all it's citizens."

RAD appreciates your support as we continue to raise awareness about how substance abuse negatively impacts youth and families. In the past year, RAD has collaborated with community groups and partners on a variety of projects including hosting a forum on Marijuana Policy at Pasadena City College to raise awareness about how the legalization of marijuana use could negatively impact the health of youth and communities; a Reality Party event for Parents in Pasadena on binge drinking at teen parties, a speaker panel event on alcohol abuse in partnership with Vroman’s Bookstore, and a month-long awareness campaign in September for National Recovery Month. ​During this week of awareness, RAD hosted and attended community events and lead window marking campaign to raise awareness about substance abuse. Stay tuned for free community programs and events coming to Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley as we continue our efforts to educate and raise awareness about the harms of substance abuse year-round. Contact us if you would like to partner in bringing resources or an event to your community!

Here is what the issue looks like, and some important findings to keep in mind:

​Excessive Alcohol Consumption is the second leading cause of premature death and disability in LA County (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health).

Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among America's youth and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Every year, 6,500 young people under age 21 die from alcohol-related incidents and thousands more are injured (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Research shows that youth who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Drug overdose deaths have been on the rise for the past two decades, and heroin deaths in particular have increased by 39%. 2015 is the third year in a row that heroin deaths have increased. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The number of drug-related deaths in the country is currently higher than the number of people killed in traffic accidents.